Portwest Blog

A Fleece is an excellent addition to any wardrobe, and can be worn any time of the year, especially in Ireland! The classic versatile fleece provides warm layers during the winter months, yet its lightweight material means it is often reached for during the summer months as an alternative to bulky coats. All our fleece are lightweight making them extremely easy to wear.

The range features material which is wind resistant protecting against wind and chill factor. The Portwest range features both thermal and bonded material. Our anti – pill thermal fabrics are extra soft and comfortable to wear. The lofted fibre structure helps trap air and reduce heat loss making it perfect for a wide range of activities.

The anti-pill bonded fleece fabric is created for maximum thermal protection and is suitable for outdoor activities that require essential insulation.

The fabric ensures core temperature is maintained whilst being extra soft and comfortable. Our fleece collars have additional lining which protects against cold air and further warms the wearer preserving body heat. Our quarter zip options allow the wearer to easily adjust body temperature by zipping up or down the collar. This makes the Finn Quarter Zip and Valencia Quarter Zip as part of our new 2017 must haves, perfect for any occasion any time of year.

Festival season is well and truly underway, with Castlepalooza, Indiependence and many more over the next few weeks. If your going to these or any other festivals this summer we have put together a list of what you must not forget!!

Tent

Pretty obvious, but choosing the right sort of tent for a festival is important. If you’re on your own a simple pop-up will probably meet your needs but if there will be a few people in the tent a quick pitch tent is the way to go.

Sleeping bags/pillows/mats

Make sure to bring a good sleeping bag as we live in Ireland after all, so it will probably be cold. Sleeping mats will help to retain heat as well.

Portwest have a wide range of men's and ladies waterproof jackets in a variety of styles and colours. The Portwest waterproof fabric has been developed with our customer in mind. It is designed to wick moisture away from the body and pass through the outer fabric keeping you cool and comfortable on those rainy days. Our specially treated fabric has been developed to form a barrier against wind while also offering breathabilty. And of course the unpredictable Irish weather means a good rain jacket is essential in Ireland!

Wearing a wetsuit is essential in this country considering our waters are cold practically all year round. It is important to find a surfing wetsuit that caters specifically to individual needs. There are different types of wetsuits offered by many surfing companies, including Portwest, O’Neill, Quicksilver, Roxy and Rip Curl. Each offers unique styles and designs, and it is important to keep your options open and take into consideration all options. When choosing a surfing wetsuit, there are several key factors to judge by: durability, flexibility, warmth provided, comfort, and style.

Durability Surfing wetsuits are made from a high-quality material called neoprene. Despite the ranging differences between wetsuits, neoprene is the basic foundation of the wetsuit. The durability of a wetsuit will be directly related to its level of quality. Wetsuits with less seams (where there is stitching), and thicker material tend to be of higher quality. After the eventual wear-and-tear a wetsuit goes through, it is important that the seams stay tight and together to prevent any holes. Wetsuits measure thickness in millimeters, and wetsuits that effectively accommodate surfing needs are usually between 2 and 6 millimeters thick. If surfing is a regular routine, the wetsuit will, in time, show signs of deterioration. However, choosing a durable, superior wetsuit will significantly slow this process.

Flexibility The amount of movement made while surfing makes flexibility a necessity. This, too, depends on the thickness and quality of the wetsuit. A surfing wetsuit with few seams, usually at the arms and the legs, will provide more flexibility than a wetsuit with more seams. The neoprene material stretches to provide flexibility, but the stitches of the seams can only withstand so much pressure before creating limitations. It is important to find a wetsuit that allows the legs to stretch and expand fully, and allows for the arms to swing comfortably back and forth. When trying on wetsuits, try to mimic the movements you would make while in the ocean.

In its second series Ella McSweeney and Aine Lawlor joined the Shalvey family on their farm in Cavan. With world records, special guests, not to mention all the cute animals it’s a show that always delivers. And RTÉ's hit show, "Big Week on the Farm" have just added another reason love the show, Last week’s show featured two favourites from the Porwest leisurewear range.

Are you in need of a new rain jacket, but not sure which one is right for you? There are a few things you should know when considering purchasing a jacket to keep you nice and dry.

Portwest jackets are made with Ventron technology, a specially treated fabric with a membrane that prevents water entering, but allows vapour to escape. It also protects you against the wind chill factor. You’ll probably notice a waterproof rating on our jackets, such as 5K, but what does it mean? The rating represents the thousands of millimetres of rain the fabric can withstand in 24 hours before water permeates. The majority of our rainwear is 5K, however our new range includes the ladies Kinsale Jacket and mens Malin Jacket, which are both 10K. We’ve also added the ladies Burren Jacket and mens Nephin Jacket, which is our most waterproof jacket yet at 15K.